Arsene Wenger confirms Robin Van Persie will be fit for next weekend. Royston Drenthe admits there’s much much to come from him, now he’s match-fit, while Rafael Van der Vaart reckons his hamstring problems are now behind him. Here’s this morning’s Scribbles, folks:
Arsene Wenger’s post-match press conference comments will be reassuring to Fantasy owners of Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman was, of course, named amongst the substitutes for the game against Stoke and came off the bench to score twice. The Gunners boss commented on his skipper’s omission, saying it was nothing more than a rest:
Muscular tightness. I took nineteen players because I wasn’t even sure to involve him on the team sheet. We made a check and he was medically alright to be on the bench. I looked at the number of games he played and the history he has- you have to be cautious. He played two full games for Holland then he played the whole game against Sunderland- he had to dig deep, he played up front alone against Marseille…
When asked if Van Persie would be fully fit for this weekend’s game with Chelsea, Wenger confirmed:
Yes. He was not injured (against Stoke), it was just tight muscular- he will be fit.
Adel Taarabt still pines for a move to PSG. The Moroccan almost left QPR in the summer after being linked with the big-spending French giants for months but the transfer ultimately failed to materialise. According to Taarabt, this was down to sporting director Leonardo having doubts about his temperament and admits that while the club promised him they’d reassess the situation in the new year, he’s not getting his hopes up.
The Qatar officials told me ‘do another great six months and in January we will be back’. However, I am under no illusion. I know I am not Leonardo’s priority.
Kolo Toure has also thrown his hat into the ring for a move to Paris. The centre-half has struggled for game time at Man City since coming back from a six month ban and, speaking to RMC Sport admitted:
If the name of Paris comes, it will not be like previous years.I would be interested because of the competition there currently is at City. Now if they call me, I would listen to what they say. Given the very good players there are there, it really makes you want to go there, it’s clear.
Shane Long could be sidelined for up to six weeks after a challenge from Alan Hutton forced him out last weekend’s Midlands derby. A scan on his knee revealed the West Brom forward has severe bone bruising and a small bone chip inside the right knee. This would enhance the Fantasy prospects of Somen Tchoyi over the next few gameweeks then, with the Cameroonian a strong favourite to see more game time in a forward role alongside Peter Odemwingie.
Rafael Van der Vaart admits he has sympathy for Jermain Defoe as the two battle for a place alongside Emmanuel Adebayor up front for Tottenham. The Dutchman is clearly winning the tussle, despite a strong start to the domestic season for Defoe, who has scored 3 goals already, just 1 less than last season’s tally. Van der Vaart also spoke of his problematic hamstring, declaring he is completely injury-free right now:
I feel that I am a starting player so I am not worried about starting, but of course I feel sorry for Jermain. I feel also that we can play together, so we will have to see what happens throughout the season…I am now 100 per cent fit. I am playing and I am scoring goals – I can’t do any more than that. Every day I am feeling better. I do not have to manage the injury, now I can do whatever I need to do on the pitch. In the beginning you have to be quite careful and you feel scared a little bit but now I hope it stays like this.
Steve Bruce has set Nicklas Bendtner a target of 15 league goals for Sunderland this season. The big Dane has had an immediate impact since his loan move to Wearside, returning 2 goals, 3 assist and 5 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points in five matches and, wiith a favourable run of fixtures on the horizon, looks set for Fantasy investment. His boss talked up Bendtner’s goalscoring abilities
Nick is a good finisher – a very good finisher – and there’s no reason why he cannot get 15 goals a season. I think Nick has found it difficult because Arsenal play one up front, which is Robin Van Persie, so he has not had the opportunity to play where he wants to play.I think he suffered because he was not playing regularly at Arsenal. I don’t care how good you are or which club you are at, if you do not play regularly it becomes very difficult. He is getting that now…I think there is a lot more to come from Nicklas.
Kenny Dalglish has praised Craig Bellamy after the Welshman grabbed a goal in his first league start for Liverpool since returning to the club. Bellamy was handed a role out wide in the 1-1 draw against Norwich but, while Luis Suarez spurned chance after chance, managed to find the net and his manager has been delighted with his approach:
He has been brilliant. He just loves playing football and wants to play all the time.He would certainly be much happier if he was playing more but he understands the situation maybe more than when he was younger. He will make a contribution for us.
With a goal and two assists in his first league start for Everton, Royston Drenthe underlined his capabilities to David Moyes last Sunday. The Dutchman reckons there’s plenty more to come from him and admits his manager’s training regime has helped him improve his fitness considerably:
Before I started to play, the manager killed me in training. He made me run a lot and now I feel really fit and great. That’s what I wanted – to be sharp. I don’t want not to be fit and then come into a game and not be able to handle the pressure. I feel good now. The fans can expect more.
Aston Villa have appealed the red card handed to Chris Herd on Saturday afternoon against West Brom. The player was dismissed for an alleged stamp on Jonas Olsson but Alex McLeish is confident the ban will be rescinded, after tv replays suggested the linesman got it wrong:
We think we’ve got a good cause to lodge the appeal. He (Cann) made a guess, he’s seen something and guessed that Chris stamped. We’ve spoken through official channels and I’ve got to keep that private but am sure they’ll agree there has been a mistake.
